Disclaimer: Anything that rings a bell is JK Rowling's

Chapter 45: To bow out

I woke up and gritted my teeth. Shit that really hurt.

"Don't try moving it."

I looked up at the black orbs. Sev pushed the cup towards me, and I drank the contents in one go.

"What happened?"

The last thing I remember was falling onto Harry. I could still hear the sound of his heartbeat and smell his scent on me.

"What happened is that you are expelled."

I looked to the door, at the toad with her sickening evil curve of a smile. I looked to Sev, whose eyes dilated in shock. Why was he not telling her off for lying? Why? My heart began to race.

"What?"

I could tell she relished the look I had on my face, and I was honestly too scared to even bother to reign it in.

"Headmaster…you don't mean to say-" Sev walked forward as Nonno and Minnie entered the room, grave expressions on their faces. "Yes, the girl deserves to be punished…but expulsion?"

Nonno's grave face turned into one of confusion, "Expelled Severus? No. No Kyrianna is not expelled, it is touching to see your concern but why would you think that."

Sev glared at Umbitch, and I joined him as she shrugged her shoulders, "What I meant to say is you should be expelled. But apparently at Hogwarts attempted murder isn't grounds for expulsion if you're the Headmaster's blood."

"I didn't…what!" I looked to Nonno and then Minnie and then Sev. Of all the crap that exploded from this bitch's mouth.

"We've already discussed this, Dolores. It was an accident; Miss Greengrass had seen the whole thing. Ky was defending Miss Weasley."

"Oh, she accidently pushed Miss Bullstrode over the railings?"

"She was chocking Ginny, I had to-"

"Push her to her death?" Umbitch stepped forward and anger at the righteousness on her face had me scurrying upright, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.

"ENOUGH." My breath caught at the thunder in Nonno's voice. Even Umbitch gasped. "Please leave us alone."

Sev walked out without a backward glance, Minnie followed suit. Umbitch hovered, obviously caught between taunting me some more and facing the ire of the most powerful wizard in the world.

For once she chose wisely and she walked away.

Silence echoed in her wake, a cold feeling I had never felt before in the presence of Nonno overcame my body. I stared at the starch white sheets, afraid to look up.

"How is your shoulder?"

I shrugged and gasped at the pain. I guess that was answer enough.

"Mr Pucey was stripped of his jersey. It is unforgivable to hit a bludger into the crowd and Mr George Weasley was adamant that it had been done on purpose."

I remembered George screaming, that made me think of what happened before the bludger-

"Teddy…Nott. Theodore Nott-"

"Is perfectly fine save for the broken nose. Of course, I have no clue as to why, considering Slytherin house and their ironclad rules of secrecy."

Nonno knew of those too. Greengrass disobeyed it and spoke out in my defence though…I hope I don't get her in trouble again.

"Kyrianna…may I ask one thing. What were you hoping to accomplish?"

I looked down at my hands. I had no idea things would get out of hand like that… it just seemed unfair to sit back and let those pig-headed bastards ridicule Ron…

"Bravery is not heading forth into battle with wands waving and heads held high, bravery is knowing when to use your wand and when to keep your head down."

I picked at the sheet, feeling worse by the second.

"You are suspended Kyrianna." I snapped my head up at that, "Even though it was not your intention to hurt Miss Bullstrode, you did. It would be unfair to let that go by unpunished. Your suspension is effective immediately, your things are packed and Kinky is waiting for you outside. Madam Pomfrey says your shoulder will be perfectly fine with a day or two of rest. You are going to Grimauld Place as you cannot remain on the school's grounds when suspended. You may come back after the Christmas break. I have not told your brothers. I have left that privilege to you."

I nodded, not looking at him in the eye…my throat burned at the disappointment that leaked off of him. I heard the soft rustling of footsteps as he walked away.

"Nonno, I'm sorry." I whispered it but the footsteps stopped.

He sighed, "I do not want you to be sorry Kyrianna, I want you to be brave."

And with all the bravery I could muster, I picked my head up and looked Nonno in the eye knowing this was one of those battles where you go in with your head held high. It was a battle for redemption and forgiveness for causing this man that I loved so much such unnecessary strife. He didn't smile but he left the room, midnight blue eyes twinkling.

-x-x-x-

I wasn't left alone with my thoughts for long; Madam Pomfrey came in and put my arm in a sling. She asked repeatedly if I wanted to stay in the wing a bit longer before she finally let me go.

I didn't.

Nonno was right, grating personality aside, Cynthia Bullstrode was a human being, and she really could have died today…I really need to work on power control…but no, it only went down like that because we were in an adrenalin-fuelled situation, that's why I exerted too much power and sent her over the edge…

Godric, if Zabini had been a bit slower…

I insisted on pulling on my own trousers, allowing Madam Pomfrey to help take off my hospital garments and put my shirt back on. I took in a huge whiff, eau de toi-Harry…I sighed thinking about him.

I was really excited about this match; I had this image of me running into his arms after he caught the snitch…I know it was stupid…it's just that I know what a big deal quidditch was to him and I wanted to show him that I cared enough to pay attention. And I did try to pay attention, even whilst in the snake stand!

Not only did I ruin his post-match celebration, but I also missed seeing him catch the snitch which I am positive he did…he did right?

As if in answer, as I slowly pulled the shorts up, something fluttered out of my back pocket. I grabbed it with my good hand quickly, giggling like an idiot the whole time. I quickly stopped and looked around, the room was empty, I continued my giggling and even added a few jumps in there. I could see why you wanted to catch this; it was beautiful. It even felt beautiful. The snitch strained to get loose from my hand and I pocketed it again, the smooth feeling of Harry's first gift to me still lingering on my fingers. Somehow, I liked it better because it was stolen…there was so much wrong with me.

"Miss Ky. How are your shoulder?"

I turned, wincing slightly with the speed. I really need to remind myself that I had an injury, the numbing potions were doing too good a job. Kinks came in, her face grave, was she outside with my things all this time?

"Is you ready?"

It seemed that whole effective immediately thing was extra punishment…that had Umbitch written all over it. I bet if I even tried to go see Ron, Mi, and Harry she'd have like a troll guarding the common room entrance…then again, I could meet them in the room of requirement! Or send word for them to meet me outside! The excitement left my eyes as I remembered the look of disappointment on Nonno's face…

"Yeah Kinks."

My trunk was hovering behind her,

"Oh, before we go Miss Ky, here."

She pushed a piece of parchment into my hand, I took it and opened it quickly,

Ky

Oh, they won't let us see you! Harry is trying to get in as I write this letter! Umbridge! Ugh! Professor McGonagall said you were suspended and will only be back after Christmas Break! Violet told the Fat Lady that Umbridge was pushing for your expulsion! That's ludicrous! I may not have seen what had happened (how? She was right there?)But I know Daphne Greengrass visited Snape and told him everything concerning the fight you and Bullstrode had. Are you still here? Oh, like you can answer that. How is your arm? Oh, my word!

I've never seen so many angry faces. Adrian Pucey is lucky that the teachers had got there so fast! George had already hit him by then…George only got detention though, thankfully, I think Snape was kind because he looked like he wanted to hit Pucey too!

After you got hit by the bludger, Harry had just caught the snitch and saw George heading for the Slytherin stands and heard him shout for you. Harry reached when you fainted. He was carrying you to the hospital wing, but then Malfoy blocked the exit and told Harry all this horrible stuff about his mum! Really! Harry was one hex away from killing him when Snape finally showed up, but Umbridge had already seen the two fighting! And of course, the twins flew down to help! Harry, Fred and George were stripped of their quidditch playing privileges (whatno! How? Fucking Umbitch!).

Oh Ky! How did this all happen. The last thing I remember was walking out with you and Ginny and then someone tossed a hex at me! The next thing Theodore Nott and Vincent Crabbe are rolling around the floor hitting each other! Then I heard George scream and the bludger hit you!

Ohhh and Ginny explained why she kissed Blaise! Apparently, Cynthia Bullstrode is in love with him and that's why she reacted like that. I can'ttttttt

Ky it's Harry! They won't let me come see you! How is your shoulder? Fuck I am going to murder Pucey when I see him. Does it hurt a lot? Madam Pomfrey told me that you won't be in pain at least, the numbing potions should help! But don't move it a lot! You forget that it's injured when its numb and you tend to use it like normal, I know I do. So just sleep. Don't worry about anything in Hogwarts, it's all good here. Just relax and heal up your shoulder. Is that the only thing that's hurt? If anything else aches, please tell Madam Pomfrey! Sometimes you don't feel it till after the shock…you looked kind of pale…the bludger only hit your shoulder, right? You should wait in the hospital wing (hypocrite),I don't know when you'll leave, I'm going to try and sneak in an hour again, hopefully that stupid prefect is gone. Can you believe she went to the extent of assigning a prefect to ensure nobody sees you? Godric I am going to kill her Ky! Please don't forget to take your potions! Look after yourself, OK? Hermione looks like she is going to cry because I took her quill, I told her boyfriend trumps best friend, right? Oh, and Ron says tha….

HEY KY! ITS ME RON (of course it is, only you write in block capitals) THANKS SO MUCH FOR TRYING TO DEFEND MY HONOR. I DON'T DESERVE IT. BUT THANKS ANYWAY. I HOPE YOU GET BETTER. HONESTLY, I WON'T MIND GETTING HIT BY A BLUDGER RIGHT ABOUT NOwwww

It's Hermione, ignore Ron, he's in a…mood of sorts. Anyway, please look after yourself and don't forget we have that Charms assignment due Tuesday and that essay for Runes on Wednesday, I already have your potions essay for Monday. Please look after yourself.

It's Harry. I hope you like your gift. I'm sorry this all happened…I'm sorry you got hurt. Just rest up, OK? See you as soon as I can. Be good Kyrianna.

Harry and Hermione. AND RON

I looked up at that moment, as if hoping to see my heads of jet black, fire red and chocolate brown.

I sighed, Nonno wanted me gone immediately…best that I do just that.

A/N: Guess this was one of those times where one thing just leads to another. What did you think of that slightly chaotic letter from the golden trio?

Kalina